The BBQ Central Show is a weekly internet based show that airs live each Tuesday from 9pm-11pm EST and originates from Cleveland, Ohio. Each show is packed with interviews which include top pitmasters on the competition circuit, industry cookbook authors and bloggers, grill manufacturers, BBQ pit and accessory makers and highlighting the top news stories of the week. Subscribe TODAY and never miss an episode of the longest continually running and most downloaded BBQ/Grilling podcast available anywhere!
Episode 444Taking you back to 1/14/2020 - A 4th week in a row of our pal Doug requesting shows…and I believe the last one of this month long request streak…in this segment, Meathead returns and we have quite an in-depth discussion…dare I say…back and forth…on reverse sear and sous vide cooking. Specifically, we talk about sous vide water temps as it relates to safety (not finish internal temps).He also talked about smoke and fire as it relates to cocktails…basically, taking cocktail favorites and adding either fire to fruit…or the “smoke gun” smoke…By the way…THIS is the segment that birthed the “Pineapple is the best thing off the grill” take from Meathead…which…then…also birthed the 2nd ever animation of a segment on this show done by a young animator…Damian Rodriguez, who I have fallen out of contact with at this point…shame on me.So be ready to hear how this all came together organically back in early 2020.Ready to make a “BEST OF” show all your own?? Email Jon Solberg and let him know what you would like to hear on a future episode!As always, thank you for listening!*Don’t forget to RATE AND REVIEW THE SHOW ON YOU PODCAST APP* Want to hear more from this episode...Click the link below to hear the full show :Original Air Date: 1/14/2020Original Full Show Link: CLICK HERE
(July 28, 2026 - Hour Two) Smoked Brisket Secrets, BBQ Myth-Busting, and the Road to the $1 Million BBQ World Cup In this jam-packed episode, we are coming to you live with a massive two-hour double-header featuring some of the biggest names and most hotly anticipated updates in the live-fire cooking community! From deep-dives into Texas-style barbecue science to a massive breakdown of competitive smoking championships, this is an episode you cannot afford to miss. Fire up your pellet grill, throw some oak wood chunks on the firebox, and dial in your internal temps—it is time to talk real BBQ. Hour 1 (9:14 PM ET): Jess Pryles (Hardcore Carnivore) Kickstarting the night, we sit down for our exclusive quarterly interview segment with the "female Ron Swanson" herself, Jess Pryles! As a certified meat science specialist and the brilliant mind behind the globally acclaimed Hardcore Carnivore brand, Jess joins us to talk shop, live-fire strategy, and her latest adventures. We dive deep into: The Stories Behind Her Iconic Catchphrases: What it truly means to "Fuck Spiders." The Scotland Expedition: A look into her recent trip to Scotland, exploring international meat traditions, butchery techniques, and overseas live-fire culture. Double Television Features: Behind-the-scenes secrets of her two brand-new TV shows, covering everything from her hit series on the Outdoor Channel to her wild adventures harvesting game and cooking over open flames across the country. Hardcore BBQ Myth-Busting: Jess uses her meat science background to separate fact from fiction. We tackle the truth about the legendary brisket "stall," whether the smoke ring actually adds flavor, if wrapping in butcher paper beats aluminum foil, and the absolute best ways to achieve that perfect, crunchy bark on your pork butt. Hour 2 (10:14 PM ET): The Embedded Correspondents Segment In our second hour, the smoke clears for our heavy-hitting monthly roundtable! The Embedded Correspondents—Doug, Jon, Rusty, and Matt—storm the studio to drop knowledge bombs and hot takes on the current state of the grilling industry. Tune in for: The 100% Assurity Statements: The guys go on the record with a massive, high-stakes list of ultimate guarantees. From bold predictions on the best commercial rubs and fuel sources to unfiltered opinions on regional barbecue styles, these are the hill-to-die-on takes of the summer. BBQ World Cup Update: The definitive breakdown of the "Road to $1 Million." We look at the latest qualified pitmasters who have punched their tickets to the massive April 2027 finals in Las Vegas. We track the standings across major KCBS and international qualifiers, break down what the historic $1,000,000 purse means for the sport of competitive smoking, and preview what to expect at the upcoming BBQ World Expo. The BBQ Central Show Sponsors Primo Grills Fireboard Micallef Cigars – Premium Hand Rolled Cigars
(July 28, 2026 - Hour One) Smoked Brisket Secrets, BBQ Myth-Busting, and the Road to the $1 Million BBQ World Cup In this jam-packed episode, we are coming to you live with a massive two-hour double-header featuring some of the biggest names and most hotly anticipated updates in the live-fire cooking community! From deep-dives into Texas-style barbecue science to a massive breakdown of competitive smoking championships, this is an episode you cannot afford to miss. Fire up your pellet grill, throw some oak wood chunks on the firebox, and dial in your internal temps—it is time to talk real BBQ. Hour 1 (9:14 PM ET): Jess Pryles (Hardcore Carnivore) Kickstarting the night, we sit down for our exclusive quarterly interview segment with the "female Ron Swanson" herself, Jess Pryles! As a certified meat science specialist and the brilliant mind behind the globally acclaimed Hardcore Carnivore brand, Jess joins us to talk shop, live-fire strategy, and her latest adventures. We dive deep into: The Stories Behind Her Iconic Catchphrases: What it truly means to "Fuck Spiders." The Scotland Expedition: A look into her recent trip to Scotland, exploring international meat traditions, butchery techniques, and overseas live-fire culture. Double Television Features: Behind-the-scenes secrets of her two brand-new TV shows, covering everything from her hit series on the Outdoor Channel to her wild adventures harvesting game and cooking over open flames across the country. Hardcore BBQ Myth-Busting: Jess uses her meat science background to separate fact from fiction. We tackle the truth about the legendary brisket "stall," whether the smoke ring actually adds flavor, if wrapping in butcher paper beats aluminum foil, and the absolute best ways to achieve that perfect, crunchy bark on your pork butt. Hour 2 (10:14 PM ET): The Embedded Correspondents Segment In our second hour, the smoke clears for our heavy-hitting monthly roundtable! The Embedded Correspondents—Doug, Jon, Rusty, and Matt—storm the studio to drop knowledge bombs and hot takes on the current state of the grilling industry. Tune in for: The 100% Assurity Statements: The guys go on the record with a massive, high-stakes list of ultimate guarantees. From bold predictions on the best commercial rubs and fuel sources to unfiltered opinions on regional barbecue styles, these are the hill-to-die-on takes of the summer. BBQ World Cup Update: The definitive breakdown of the "Road to $1 Million." We look at the latest qualified pitmasters who have punched their tickets to the massive April 2027 finals in Las Vegas. We track the standings across major KCBS and international qualifiers, break down what the historic $1,000,000 purse means for the sport of competitive smoking, and preview what to expect at the upcoming BBQ World Expo. The BBQ Central Show Sponsors Primo Grills Fireboard Micallef Cigars – Premium Hand Rolled Cigars
Episode 443Taking you back to 2/4/2020 - A third week of requested shows from our pal Doug Scheiding from Texas…This time around, first Tuesday of the month regular guest, Malcom Reed, joined me and we got into a deep discussion about a steak contest he was at…but more importantly than that…we also talked a LOT about the associated Bloody Mary contest that the event also staged…If you are any kind of fan of this show over the past 10 years or so…you know where I come out on Bloody Mary contests. Biggest waste of a drink ever…yes. Biggest waste of an inordinate amount of food hanging off a drink glass ever…YES.Ready to make a “BEST OF” show all your own?? Email Jon Solberg and let him know what you would like to hear on a future episode!As always, thank you for listening!*Don’t forget to RATE AND REVIEW THE SHOW ON YOU PODCAST APP*Want to hear more from this episode???Click the link below to hear the full show :Original Air Date: 2/4/2020Original Full Show Link: CLICK HERE
(July 21, 2026 - Hour Two) Show Summary: Meatman is back with another massive Tuesday night lineup on the longest-running podcast in BBQ! Before we get to the interviews, the opening monologue tackles a wild viral video of a hair transplant gone completely off the rails—you won't believe the facial swelling on this guy. After that, it's a stacked four-guest roster covering everything from the business of the outdoor cooking industry to the ultimate fast-food burgers. On Tonight's Episode: Dan Arnold | CEO, Suckle Busters It’s been a minute, but Dan is back on the show to catch up. We're talking rubs, sauces, seasonings, and seeing what's new in the world of Suckle Busters. Wes Wright | Creator, Cookout News Wes drops in for his monthly visit to break down the BBQ and grilling industry from a strictly business perspective. We dive into market trends, news, and what's moving the needle. Sam The Cooking Guy | YouTube Creator The YouTube legend joins the show to catch up on his latest recipe drops, the grind of content creation, and balancing it all with family. Ali Khan | TV Host & Content Creator Our favorite new guest returns! We're talking all things beef, the anatomy of a perfect burger, and diving into the fast-food reviews he’s been uploading to social media. All this plus a new "Would You Rather" YouTube Poll Question of the week and results from last week's poll. The BBQ Central Show Sponsors Primo Grills Fireboard Micallef Cigars – Premium Hand Rolled Cigars
(July 21, 2026 - Hour One) Show Summary: Meatman is back with another massive Tuesday night lineup on the longest-running podcast in BBQ! Before we get to the interviews, the opening monologue tackles a wild viral video of a hair transplant gone completely off the rails—you won't believe the facial swelling on this guy. After that, it's a stacked four-guest roster covering everything from the business of the outdoor cooking industry to the ultimate fast-food burgers. On Tonight's Episode: Dan Arnold | CEO, Suckle Busters It’s been a minute, but Dan is back on the show to catch up. We're talking rubs, sauces, seasonings, and seeing what's new in the world of Suckle Busters. Wes Wright | Creator, Cookout News Wes drops in for his monthly visit to break down the BBQ and grilling industry from a strictly business perspective. We dive into market trends, news, and what's moving the needle. Sam The Cooking Guy | YouTube Creator The YouTube legend joins the show to catch up on his latest recipe drops, the grind of content creation, and balancing it all with family. Ali Khan | TV Host & Content Creator Our favorite new guest returns! We're talking all things beef, the anatomy of a perfect burger, and diving into the fast-food reviews he’s been uploading to social media. All this plus a new "Would You Rather" YouTube Poll Question of the week and results from last week's poll. The BBQ Central Show Sponsors Primo Grills Fireboard Micallef Cigars – Premium Hand Rolled Cigars
Episode 442 Taking you back to 2/12/2019 - A second week of requested shows from our pal Doug Scheiding from Texas…BBQCS longest running EC. This week featuring Sam The Cooking Guy. This was an episode that was featuring a lot of thoughts on an impending Valentines Day…and a lot fo thoughts about how the guests might get you…as they said it…LAID…So we’ll see how the show next week tacks up…but be ready for a great look back at a legendary Sam The Cooking Guy from 6.5 years ago. Ready to make a “BEST OF” show all your own?? Email Jon Solberg and let him know what you would like to hear on a future episode! As always, thank you for listening! *Don’t forget to RATE AND REVIEW THE SHOW ON YOU PODCAST APP* Want to hear more from this episode??? Click the link below to hear the full show : Original Air Date: 2/12/2019 Original Full Show Link: CLICK HERE
(July 14, 2026 - Hour Two) On the show tonight (All Times Eastern): 9:14pm - David Gafford - The Barbecue Lab 9:35pm - Robert Moss 10:14pm - Roger Dahle - Weber/Blackstone CEO All this plus a new "Would You Rather" YouTube Poll Question of the week and results from last week's poll. The BBQ Central Show Sponsors Primo Grills Fireboard Micallef Cigars – Premium Hand Rolled Cigars
(July 14, 2026 - Hour One) On the show tonight (All Times Eastern): 9:14pm - David Gafford - The Barbecue Lab 9:35pm - Robert Moss 10:14pm - Roger Dahle - Weber/Blackstone CEO All this plus a new "Would You Rather" YouTube Poll Question of the week and results from last week's poll. The BBQ Central Show Sponsors Primo Grills Fireboard Micallef Cigars – Premium Hand Rolled Cigars
Episode 441 Taking you back to 4/9/2019 - This week, Meathead being featured and he talks about an NBBQA recap...and about some tips that might get you lucky! Ready to make a “BEST OF” show all your own?? Email Jon Solberg and let him know what you would like to hear on a future episode! As always, thank you for listening! *Don’t forget to RATE AND REVIEW THE SHOW ON YOU PODCAST APP* Want to hear more from this episode??? Click the link below to hear the full show : Original Air Date: 4/9/2019 Original Full Show Link: CLICK HERE
(July 7, 2026 - Hour Two) On the show tonight (All Times Eastern): 9:14pm - Malcom Reed - How To BBQ Right 9:35pm - Steve Ray - Owl's Nest BBQ Supply 10:14pm - Sam The Cooking Guy 10:35pm - Ali Khan - Ali Khan Eats All this plus a new "Would You Rather" YouTube Poll Question of the week and results from last week's poll. The BBQ Central Show Sponsors Primo Grills Fireboard Micallef Cigars – Premium Hand Rolled Cigars
(July 7, 2026 - Hour One) On the show tonight (All Times Eastern): 9:14pm - Malcom Reed - How To BBQ Right 9:35pm - Steve Ray - Owl's Nest BBQ Supply 10:14pm - Sam The Cooking Guy 10:35pm - Ali Khan - Ali Khan Eats All this plus a new "Would You Rather" YouTube Poll Question of the week and results from last week's poll. The BBQ Central Show Sponsors Primo Grills Fireboard Micallef Cigars – Premium Hand Rolled Cigars
Episode 440 Taking you back to 6/24/20089 - This week, featuring Merl Whitebook from the KCBS (back then) and a lot of talk about a common problem even to this day...JUDGING! Ready to make a “BEST OF” show all your own?? Email Jon Solberg and let him know what you would like to hear on a future episode! As always, thank you for listening! *Don’t forget to RATE AND REVIEW THE SHOW ON YOU PODCAST APP* Want to hear more from this episode??? Click the link below to hear the full show : Original Air Date: 6/24/208 Original Full Show Link: CLICK HERE
(June 30, 2026 - Hour Two) On the show tonight (All Times Eastern): 9:14pm & 9:35pm - Grant Pinkerton - Pinkerton's Barbecue 10:14pm & 10:35pm - Open All this plus a new "Would You Rather" YouTube Poll Question of the week and results from last week's poll. The BBQ Central Show Sponsors Primo Grills Fireboard Micallef Cigars – Premium Hand Rolled Cigars
(June 30, 2026 - Hour One) On the show tonight (All Times Eastern): 9:14pm & 9:35pm - Grant Pinkerton - Pinkerton's Barbecue 10:14pm & 10:35pm - Open All this plus a new "Would You Rather" YouTube Poll Question of the week and results from last week's poll. The BBQ Central Show Sponsors Primo Grills Fireboard Micallef Cigars – Premium Hand Rolled Cigars
Episode 439 Taking you back to 6/19/2009 - Being featured this week is the current KCBS CEO and pitmaster of Pellet Envy, Rod Gray. Before his CEO position, Rod did the competition circuit and all the way back in 2009, he was on the KCBS BOD where he served as treasurer. In this segment, we talked about why he decided to run for the board…and ultimately…why he chose to resign his position back in the early summer of 2009. I was talking to someone the other day about the history of the show…and as Jon Solberg has said many times…The BBQ Central Show is actually a real-time account of what has been happening, changing and evolving in the BBQ and grilling industry. If you wanted to get a snap shot of the industry over the past 2 decades…you really just need to go back and listen to the shows to see what was popular and important at any particular time between the years 2006 up until 2026. NEAT RIGHT?!?! Ready to make a “BEST OF” show all your own?? Email Jon Solberg and let him know what you would like to hear on a future episode! As always, thank you for listening! *Don’t forget to RATE AND REVIEW THE SHOW ON YOU PODCAST APP* Want to hear more from this episode??? Click the link below to hear the full show : Original Air Date: 6/19/209 Original Full Show Link: CLICK HERE
(June 23, 2026 - Hour Two) On the show tonight (All Times Eastern): 9:14pm - Jason Ganahl - GQUE BBQ 9:35pm - Carey Bringle - Peg Leg Porker 10:14pm & 10:35pm - - The Embedded Correspondents - June Edition All this plus a new "Would You Rather" YouTube Poll Question of the week and results from last week's poll. The BBQ Central Show Sponsors Primo Grills Fireboard Micallef Cigars – Premium Hand Rolled Cigars
(June 23, 2026 - Hour One) On the show tonight (All Times Eastern): 9:14pm - Jason Ganahl - GQUE BBQ 9:35pm - Carey Bringle - Peg Leg Porker 10:14pm & 10:35pm - - The Embedded Correspondents - June Edition All this plus a new "Would You Rather" YouTube Poll Question of the week and results from last week's poll. The BBQ Central Show Sponsors Primo Grills Fireboard Micallef Cigars – Premium Hand Rolled Cigars
Episode 438 Taking you back to 11/22/2016 - I mentioned it a few weeks back…and because he is the best EVP of any podcast every…Jon Solberg went right to work to locate and produce the show that features not only the BEST story ever heard on this show…in my opinion…it is the singular BEST STORY ever TOLD on this show…the ENTIRE history of this show…to me…to many…to the dedicated fans who have been here and heard it all…we all agree that this segment, featuring Chad Ward…of a then “Whiskey Bent BBQ”...is the best story heard and told on this show…I even go so far as to add this qualifier…”And It’s NOT EVEN CLOSE”. If I only got one story out of the entirety of this podcast…THIS is the one that every other segment is compared to. Not even the segment where Michael “Medium Rare” O’Donnell asked me…live on this show…and I quote…”Have you ever fucked an Elephant??” Not even that, comes close to the Chad Ward “Bear Trapper” story that you are set to hear this coming Friday morning! I welcome your feedback…and remember, this segment was the genesis for the very first “animated segment” on the show…which I will go ahead a replay next week…but be sure to listen to the Best Moments Show this coming Friday…and tell me if I am wrong! Ready to make a “BEST OF” show all your own?? Email Jon Solberg and let him know what you would like to hear on a future episode! As always, thank you for listening! *Don’t forget to RATE AND REVIEW THE SHOW ON YOU PODCAST APP* Want to hear more from this episode??? Click the link below to hear the full show : Original Air Date: 11/22/2016 Original Full Show Link: CLICK HERE
(June 16, 2026 - Hour One) On the show tonight (All Times Eastern): 9:14pm - Mike McCloud - WFC 9:35pm - Wes Wright - Cookout News 10:14pm - Coy Christoffel - Pitts & Spitts 10:35pm - Daniel Vaughn - Texas Monthly All this plus a new "Would You Rather" YouTube Poll Question of the week and results from last week's poll. The BBQ Central Show Sponsors Primo Grills Fireboard Micallef Cigars – Premium Hand Rolled Cigars
